thanks for all the replies, was what I was thinking overall. my kids are 3 year old twins, dtr is much more adventurous than my son right now. I really want to get them used to the boat and water. The cal is a fun boat but very tender, we keep it in a mooring and do mostly river daysailing. I'd like to get into something we can cruise for a day, something with a head on it and also I'd like both my wife and myself to get used to handling a larger boat. I think I'll start looking for a Catalina 30 or slightly smaller Pearson or Hunter. I'm partial to the Tartan's/Pearsons/ Sabres but seems like the Catalina might be more kid friendly and more for the money. does not appear that the increase in cost for mooring fee and maintenance is as much as the fee for sailtime.